History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Myth and Reality (Religious Traditions of the World)

Average customer rating:

Grab Your Pillow
Myth and Reality
Compelling book!
A great book about myth.
All myths are myths of Origin

Myth and Reality (Religious Traditions of the World)
Mircea Eliade
Manufacturer: Waveland Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Ritual | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Science and Religion: An Introduction
Images and Symbols
The Sacred and The Profane: The Nature of Religion
Patterns in Comparative Religion
Rites and Symbols of Initiation: The Mysteries of Birth and Rebirth

ASIN: 1577660099

Book Description

An informative guide to the modern mythologies! This classic study, translated from the original French, deals primarily with societies around the world in which myth is--or was until very recently-- "living," in the sense that it supplies models for human behavior and, by that very fact, gives meaning and value to life. The author believes that understanding the structure and function of myths in these traditional societies serves to clarify a stage in the history of human thought: "myths reveal that the World, man, and life have a supernatural origin and history, and that this history is significant, precious, and exemplary."

Customer Reviews:

Grab Your Pillow.......2007-06-27

This book was poorly translated from French and it showed in the text. There are many grammatical errors and the information lacks any logical path, there is no main point in the book. I was greatly disappointed with this text. I do not recommend this book.

Myth and Reality.......2006-03-17

Myth and Realty is interesting to read in companion with Campbell's Hero with a Thousand Faces. The role of "myth" in our contemporary societies is not understood, let alone appreciated. Mircea develops ideas that anyone intrigued by the place of myth in modern culture should be looking to find.

Compelling book!.......2004-08-13

Eliade was the most complete and pyramidal mythologist of the last century . This book contains wonderful thoughts and considerations about the myth its undeniable influence in the ancient behavior patterns through the years and still its radiant charm and powerful mistery .

A great book about myth........1999-06-27

This was one of the books used in an Introduction to Mythology class I took. It's very scholarly, so have a good dictionary handy.

All myths are myths of Origin.......1998-11-17

This is a good book for myth, though Eliade's style is a little difficult to get used to. Read it if you're interested in myth and comparative religion.

The Woman Who Pretended to Be Who She Was: Myths of Self-Imitation

Average customer rating:

Gender Bender Fun (and race, too)

The Woman Who Pretended to Be Who She Was: Myths of Self-Imitation
Wendy Doniger
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Literary Criticism | Literature & Fiction | Gay & Lesbian | Subjects | Books

Folklore & Mythology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Women's Studies | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Ritual | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Bedtrick: Tales of Sex and Masquerade (Worlds of Desire: The Chicago Series on Sexuality, Gender, and Culture)
The Implied Spider
Splitting the Difference: Gender and Myth in Ancient Greece and India (Jordan Lectures in Comparative Religion, 1996-1997 : School of Oriental and African Studies University of London)
Other Peoples' Myths: The Cave of Echoes
Seeing Through Clothes

ASIN: 0195160169

Book Description

Many cultures have myths about self-imitation, stories about people who pretend to be someone else pretending to be them, in effect masquerading as themselves. This great theme, in literature and in life, tells us that people put on masks to discover who they really are under the masks they usually wear, so that the mask reveals rather than conceals the self beneath the self. In this book, noted scholar of Hinduism and mythology Wendy Doniger offers a cross-cultural exploration of the theme of self-impersonation, whose widespread occurrence argues for both its literary power and its human value. The stories she considers range from ancient Indian literature through medieval European courtly literature and Shakespeare to Hollywood and Bollywood. They illuminate a basic human way of negotiating reality, illusion, identity, and authenticity, not to mention memory, amnesia, and the process of aging. Many of them involve marriage and adultery, for tales of sexual betrayal cut to the heart of the crisis of identity. These stories are extreme examples of what we common folk do, unconsciously, every day. Few of us actually put on masks that replicate our faces, but it is not uncommon for us to become travesties of ourselves, particularly as we age and change. We often slip carelessly across the permeable boundary between the un-self-conscious self-indulgence of our most idiosyncratic mannerisms and the conscious attempt to give the people who know us, personally or publicly, the version of ourselves that they expect. Myths of self-imitation open up for us the possibility of multiple selves and the infinite regress of self-discovery. Drawing on a dizzying array of tales-some fact, some fiction-The Woman Who Pretended to Be Who She Was is a fascinating and learned trip through centuries of culture, guided by a scholar of incomparable wit and erudition.

Customer Reviews:

Gender Bender Fun (and race, too).......2004-12-11

I have a confession - I have not actually read the book yet, merely heard Prof. Doniger present the topic at Radcliffe. But if it's anything like her other ones, I expect an open, intriguing, and profound look at people pretending to be people pretending to be who they are. (those are her words, not mine!)

In this book, Doniger breaks away from central Asia and religion and goes all over the board, covering French aristocrats, Shakespeare, African folklore, and yes, even Arnold Schwartzeneger. Despite amazon.com's topic descriptions, this is not just about gender, but also race, politics, and art, and the very nature of identity. When people flip through categories like pages of a book, they reveal the illusions of gender, race, etc. Doniger is thorough, inventive, humorous and brilliant in her research and writing.

Why haven't I read it yet? Why haven't YOU read it yet? Teachers, assign this book for your spring classes so I have an excuse to go buy it!

Celtic Myth & Magick: Harness the Power of the Gods and Goddesses (Llewellyn's World Religion and Magic Series) (Llewellyn's World Religion and Magic Series)

Average customer rating:

This is the book that got me serious,
Good for those who thrive on tripe
Great introduction to the subject-a usable workbook
A surprising helpful book
Yes, it DOES matter

Celtic Myth & Magick: Harness the Power of the Gods and Goddesses (Llewellyn's World Religion and Magic Series) (Llewellyn's World Religion and Magic Series)
Edain McCoy
Manufacturer: Llewellyn Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Folklore & Mythology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Wicca | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Witchcraft | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Celtic | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Magic | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Alchemy | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Ritual | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Fairy Tales | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Celtic Magic (Llewellyn's World Magic Series)
Celtic Women's Spirituality: Accessing the Cauldron of Life
Lost Books Of Merlyn: Druid Magic from the Age of Arthur
By Oak, Ash, & Thorn: Modern Celtic Shamanism (Llewellyn's Celtic Wisdom)
The 21 Lessons of Merlyn: A Study in Druid Magic and Lore

ASIN: 1567186610

Customer Reviews:

This is the book that got me serious,.......2007-08-01

I was given this book, by an aquaintance. One of those people that shows up in your life, helps you and moves on. I'd always been interested in Witchcraft, but never did anything about it. I look upon this book as a resource, it does give some ritual and pathworkings, but more than that it is an encyclopedic reference to the Celtic pantheon and is a great book to pique the interest and imagination of those interested in the Celtic branch of the craft. I keep my dog eared copy on the book shelf with pride.

Good for those who thrive on tripe.......2006-12-05

Slapping the name Celtic on a book title does not make it so. This is just another of many psuedo-magic fluff and nonsense wiccan wannabe books mass produced to fill the troughs of those who would rather preen and put on a veneer. This book is merely a rehash of rehash cloaked in bright blessings and make believe fairy dust. A great book for posuers and those who would rather make up things than actually build on foundations of true believers. Chalk up another one for those out to inflate their egos or make a quick buck.

Great introduction to the subject-a usable workbook.......2006-11-08

In an arena that has produced tension between those who seek to rebuild 'Celtic' like a static museum display and those who strain to hear the voice of the Lady and the Lord in their Celtic mileu, this book is a valuable tool to really get to the heart of Celtic spirtuality.

Far removed from the camp of those practioners who want everything they do or believe backed up by archeology and literature, Edain McCoy's book is about understanding the spirit of the Tuatha Dé Danann (children of the goddess Danu)by understanding the mythology, how it evolved, and how it can work for us today. I realize that Celtic reconstructionists may balk at this, but this is about the voices we hear today, in a living faith, not a hair-splitting treatise on just what was the 'hero's portion' on a roasat pig.

The book has several pathworking journeys to get you started on guided meditations with Celtic dieties and heroes, guides to celebrating the sabbats and esbats, indexed lisitngs of goddesses and gods, and a vast list of correspondences that would make Aleister Crowley proud.

For those of us who want to work with the living God & Goddess, this book is an essential. Easy to dive into, it rewards careful study and will continue to be a valuable reference in the future. I first read it about two years ago, and it was pivitol in redefining my magickal path to a beautiful and enriching journey.

A surprising helpful book.......2006-01-25

It isn't often that modern Celtic practitioners, especially those of a more scholastic leaning, praise any book by Llywellyn. Most of their books seem geared to cash in on whatever is the current rage in occultism and the publisher seems to be the last stop for some writers who could not get published elsewhere. But every once in a while, the publisher does get something right and that is the case here. While McCoy is not to be praised for her depth of scholarship, she is to be acknowledged for her wealth of practical, working, magickal knowledge as presented here. For those working on learning mental discipline, Chapter Two presents a wealth of usable knowledge about meditation and attunement to energies which I have not seen so clearly presented before. While the Pathworking exercises are too long to be practical for a single session, they are interesting introductions to this technique. The rituals are basic Wiccan, but she clearly says so and urges the practitioner to write their own. And, finally, the dictionary of Celtic myths and legends contain hundreds of useful entries, more than I have ever seen anywhere, and not only give the bare bones of their myth, but presents how they can be used in ritual and magick, something dryer texts never mention. Most books I read and get a little knowledge from, but then they go to the book shelf of things I have already read, likely never to be opened again. This book will be one of the few that I will keep as a reference and close by, so that I can work with more of a plethora of deities with more confidence and more results.

Yes, it DOES matter.......2004-01-16

Those of you who don't think that there is anything particularly wrong with just how much McCoy errs in this book dishonour the very people that you only claim to honour. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves...but not half so much as McCoy for tossing out this rubbish just to make a quick quid by riding the newest wave of 'Celtomania'.

Average customer rating:

Worth a careful reading and pondering
Christianity liberated from the merely parochial
An exhaustive study of Catholic ritualistic practices
Rock your world

Myth and Ritual in Christianity
Alan W. Watts
Manufacturer: Beacon Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Behold the Spirit: A Study in the Necessity of Mystical Religion
Buddhism: The Religion of No-Religion, the Edited Transcripts (Alan Watts Love of Wisdom Library)
Nature, Man and Woman
This Is It: and Other Essays on Zen and Spiritual Experience
Become What You Are

ASIN: 0807013757

Customer Reviews:

Worth a careful reading and pondering.......2006-07-25

Alan Watts, as many readers know, was a famous popularizer of Asian spiritual traditions (particularly Zen Buddhism) in Britain and America. At least this is the common conception of him. Actually he was also a compelling popularizer (in the best sense) of comparative religion. He often contrasted "Western" religions (Christianity, Judaism and Islam) with "Eastern" ones (Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism). Of course the first group are also Eastern - West Asian (Israel and Arabia) in their origins. But some readers may not know that Watts was raised as a Christian, and returned to that faith at least once in his later years. In fact, his greatest contribution may be the one he made to Christian spirituality, a tradition he knew even better than Zen Buddhism. His critiques of Christian doctrine as usually (mis)understood are profound and potentially transforming. Therefore I feel that this work "Myth and Ritual in Christianity" and the earlier "Behold the Spirit" are two of his very best. If you have read only his later and better-known works, you may be very surprised by this. But his message of joy in life, consciousness-expansion, and love were never better expressed. This book is particularly recommended to those who (like Watts himself) were raised as Christians but who since have explored Eastern Asian spiritual traditions. All the great truths are hidden in your own back yard - you just have to find them.

Christianity liberated from the merely parochial.......2005-01-16

I first read this book in 1976, after a few years of Christian fundamentalist practice, and it revolutionized my understanding of faith, Christianity and religion. After the demonization of sacramental or liturgical traditions I accepted for a time in Bible-believing circles, Watts enabled me to appreciate the Catholic tradition of my youth as a mystical, universal, even alchemical source of wisdom and liberation for those in search of wisdom.

An exhaustive study of Catholic ritualistic practices.......2003-05-14

This book is a comprehensive and thorough, yet narrowly focused study on Christial ritual - specifically the gesticulations and gyrations associated with the Catholic mass. Protestants have always had a very difficult time understanding why Catholics do things the way they do, and now this book might help shed some light on this mystery. Even as a non-Catholic I was able to get a lot out of this book, but it must be approached with an open mind. Anyone who is dead set against the idea of elaborate, symbolic church rituals might find this book to be unfathomable. But if you look into the symbolism and psychological parallelism of these rituals, you will find that there is profound meaning and significace to what might have earlier appeared to be mere suprstitious incantation. This book is worth reading if you are curious as to the deeper philosophic significance of the actions performed at the Catholic mass, and non-Catholic Christians will be able to look into some of the religious secrets they have been missing.

Rock your world.......1999-01-17

This book will have you look at Christianity in a whole new way. You may not agree with him, but if you are truly seeking truth, you must read this book.

The man is deep. He introduced me to a side of the Catholic approach to Christianity I thought was dead. He breathes life into the rituals many of us just regurgitate.

Books like this are great. As you read it, one of two things will happen: 1) your faith will be strengthened (whether by agreement or disagreement) 2) you will realize how weak your faith really is and will desire to strengthen it (perhaps through this book)

Customer Reviews:

Impressive variety; Good overview of subject.......1997-11-12

Austen gives a tremendous overview of the various female deities from throughout the world making sure to hit every continent/region. Obviously in order to include so many goddesses, it was necessary to keep goddess descriptions to a page which leaves you wanting to know more about the goddess' place in the society that she was worshipped.

It was empowering to read about them and their powers over life and death, especially in this modern world that so often forsakes the strength of it women.

The illustrations and pictures are for the most part quite vivid and detailed making the book very visually pleasing and interesting.

Meditation Without Myth: What I Wish They'd Taught Me in Church About Prayer, Meditation, and the Quest for Peace
Average customer rating:

A Breath of Fresh Air

A meditation booster

A good, basic approach to spirituality in general

The beauty of silence...

Meditation Without Myth: What I Wish They'd Taught Me in Church About Prayer, Meditation, and the Quest for Peace
Daniel Helminiak
Manufacturer: Crossroad
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Mental & Spiritual Healing | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Ritual | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Prayer | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Meditations | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Meditations | Worship & Devotion | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Rites & Ceremonies | Worship & Devotion | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Sex and the Sacred: Gay Identity and Spiritual Growth

The Transcended Christian: Spiritual Lessons for the Twenty-First Century

What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality

God without Religion: Questioning Centuries of Accepted Truths

Jesus Today: A Spirituality of Radical Freedom

ASIN: 0824523083

Book Description

If you want to learn to meditate, but can't get past the prayers and confusing theology you were raised with, this is the book for you. Helminiak , a theologian and psychologist, gives us easy guidelines for meditation practice.

Customer Reviews:

A Breath of Fresh Air.......2006-01-30

"Meditation Without Myth" is an exceptional book for anyone wishing to reunite the two so long divided--humanism and spirituality. This is the first book I've ever read that successfully suggests a spiritual direction without the usual dogma and hocus pocus normally associated with religion. At the same time, Helminiak avoids falling into dry secular humanism so antithetical to any "God" concepts. This is the perfect book for the "spiritual but not religious" types who are open to the spiritual but grounded in science and reality. Helminiak shreds meditation of its normally associated mystical aberrations by drawing everything back to how the practice helps a person in this world. He also leaves it wide open for the reader to decide whether to inject "God" in their experience or not.

The only criticism I have is that the book only minimally describes the practice of meditation itself. Perhaps this is on purpose as he didn't want to dogmatically impose a set practice indicative of so many religions. It made sense to me because I've been practicing many forms of meditation myself for years. But the novice to meditation may not find it practically useful specifically for meditation. Overall though, it presents a very practical philosphical backdrop for meditation to help avoid falling prey to the religious vultures of our time.

A meditation booster.......2005-11-28

In Meditation Without Myth: What I Wish They'd Taught Me in Church about Prayer, Meditation, and the Quest for Peace, Daniel Helminiak has written a wonderfully readable and wise book about meditation practice, but it's also a book about the deeper truth about what religion really is.

Helminiak observes that the mainstream churches fail to teach their members how to meditate or what to do to open their minds to the "greater reality" that the myths point to (but do not exhaust).

A new understanding of religion is being developed in our time -- one that is open to spirituality, but that is not limited to the old time personal God. While Helminiak himself doesn't deal with this "new myth," his book is a marvelous contribution towards its creation.

Nontheistic meditation is far more successful at inspiring people and giving a sense of meaning and vitality to their existence than childhood stories of pie-in-the-sky and disincarnate entities.

It's time people begin waking up. This book is a great help!!

It has certainly given a boost to my meditation practice. I think that's the best compliment for the book. After all, it is meditators who will be interested. They will certainly get their money's worth whether they agree with Helminiak's worldview or not. His discussion of meditation practice raises all sorts of issues that will come to enhance the reader's experience of sitting in meditation. At least, it did for me!

A good, basic approach to spirituality in general.......2005-08-03

This is a good and timely book, offering sound teaching on spiritual practice in a non-theistic, humanistic context. Readers who haven't read and studied Dr. Helminiak's previous works, especially "The Human Core of Spirituality," might wonder how he can be discussing spirituality apart from religion -- a point he addresses in several places in this work. Indeed, it seems that what we have, here, is a further elaboration on on the "Human Core" book, developing some of its implications for spiritual practice.

Basically, what is emphasized are a few practices that enable one to increasingly awaken to what in earlier works Helminiak called the non-reflecting aspect of human consciousness (as opposed to reflecting, discursive consciousness). Hence, we are encouraged to be aware, to become conscious of our consciousness, to move beyond thought, feeling, ideas, etc., to become more cosmically consciousness. Readers familiar with Eastern literature will recognize similarities between what is described here and Eastern accounts of enlightenment states, a correlation already suggested in the earlier "Human Core" book. What's most significant about that, in my view, is that he provides a non-theistic accounting for enlightenment in terms of human spirit rather than considering it an experience of the divine, or, as he would say, a theistic or theotic mystical experience. This is quite exciting, as it means that such awakenings are within the reach of all human beings who undertake the right kind of practices, including ethical living, here, which the book also emphasizes.

So how is this all different from Buddhism?

In the end, it's not too terribly different, except that it's Buddhism stripped of all sorts of excessive religious baggage. That's not a bad thing, but if you're already into Zen or Buddhist practice, you won't find anything new, here, except, perhaps, another way to understand what's going on in terms of spirit, psyche and organism.

Those who are committed to a more theistic pathway will probably find this book challenging and even provocative in places, as its emphasis on non-religious, humanistic spirituality will probably seem offensive, or certainly pointless. As one who has been committed to Christian contemplative practice for years, however, I would encourage taking the time to really consider what's being said, here. There is nothing in this book that detracts from Christian spiritual practice, as theistic and theotic spirituality simultaneously includes and transcends the approach recommended here. Furthermore, the emphasis on authenticity and clarity can only help improve any relationship, including one's relationship with God. Finally, it's enormously helpful to have clarified what aspects of the spiritual life fall within our own human powers and, hence, are our responsibility to develop to the best of our ability. An old Thomistic aphorism is that grace works in and through nature, so there's no discounting the role of supernatural grace in this approach. Such grace leads to a further transformation than what is recounted in this book, however, as Helminiak himself noted in his earlier works, especially "Spiritual Development."

One small bone I have to pick is that on page 38, the meditation technique recommended is described as "the internal repetition of a word," obviously a mantra method. What follows is an equivocation between this method, the Christian practice of centering prayer, and Transcendental Meditation. I disagree with this equivocation, as would anyone who teaches Centering Prayer, in that the latter is not simply an "internal repetition of a word" in mantra-like manner. The use of the "sacred word" in Centering Prayer is to facilitate a surrender of the will to the presence and action of God; it's an inherently relational dynamic with the Other. A mantra, on the other hand, is mostly a device to quiet the mind and open one to a deeper level of one's own awareness; it doesn't really entail an exercise of the will or require a relational context.

Another objection is the subtitle of the book, where Helminiak laments that he was not taught what this book teaches about "prayer, meditation and the quest for peace." The reason it wasn't taught in the way this book teaches it is because the Catholicism in which he was raised emphasizes more than a humanistic spirituality of the non-reflecting aspect of consciousness; it promotes theistic -- even what he would call theotic! -- spirituality. Also, it is not so difficult to find in the Catholic spiritual literature practices that facilitate inner silence, prayer, peace, and all kinds of methods of meditation. Consider, too, that some of the kind of teaching presented by Helminiak here would be inappropriate for young people, which is when so many of us were first introduced to religious teaching.

Those objections noted, I recommend this book and think it would be a real help to anyone on any kind of spiritual journey.

The beauty of silence..........2005-06-11

If you are on a spiritual quest and use meditation as a way to connect with the infinite life force of the universe you will enjoy the simplicity of the message contained in Helminiak's latest work. He incorporates body, psyche and spirit in the discussion on how to tame the mind, listen to your inner wisdom and intuition and live a life full of joy, awe and in the present moment. This is an excellent book that will bring great insights into your spiritual practice and help you find solace in your path to enlightment...realization of the ultimate nature of reality.

Concordance to Pascal's "Pensees" (Symbol, Myth, and Ritual Series)

Average customer rating:

Unique and crucial element of Pascal scholarship

Concordance to Pascal's "Pensees" (Symbol, Myth, and Ritual Series)
Hugh McCullough Davidson
Manufacturer: Cornell University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Literature | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

Unique and crucial element of Pascal scholarship.......2000-06-19

This massive volume is a must-use for anyone studying recurring ideas throughout Pascal's Pensees. Because of the fragmentary nature of the Pensees, without a concordance of this nature such work would be much less fruitful. A working knowledge of the French language is necessary, as the concordance is for the original language. Each entry is quoted in context, although in a somewhat difficult-to-read font. Numbers listed are from the Brunschvicg edition. The work also includes word counts in frequency order, a helpful tool in identifying important concepts within this important religious work by the enigmatic and influential 17th century writer.

Discourse and the Construction of Society: Comparative Studies of Myth, Ritual, and Classification

Average customer rating:

Discourse and the Construction of Society: Comparative Studies of Myth, Ritual, and Classification
Bruce Lincoln
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Ritual | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Comparative Religion | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Sociology | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Nonfiction | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Religion & Spirituality | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Theorizing Myth: Narrative, Ideology, and Scholarship
Marx and Modernity: Key Readings and Commentary (Modernity and Society, 1)
Adam Smith in His Time and Ours
Constructing the Political Spectacle
The March of Folly: From Troy to Vietnam

ASIN: 0195079094

Book Description

In this bold theoretical work, Bruce Lincoln explores the ways in which myth, ritual, and classification hold human societies together--and how, in times of crisis, they can be used to take a society apart and reconstruct it. Without overlooking the role of coercive force in the maintenance (or overthrow) of social structures, Lincoln argues his thesis with compelling illustrations drawn from such diverse areas as Platonic philosophy, the Upanishads of India, ancient Celtic banquets, professional wrestling, and the Spanish Civil War. This wide-ranging interdisciplinary study--which draws on works in history, semiotics, anthropology, sociology, classics, and indology--offers challenging new insights into the complex dynamics of social cohesion and change.

The Sacred Executioner: Human Sacrifice and the Legacy of Guilt

Average customer rating:

Excellent Read

The Sacred Executioner: Human Sacrifice and the Legacy of Guilt
Hyam Maccoby
Manufacturer: Thames & Hudson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Comparative Religion | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Fairy Tales | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0500012814

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Read.......2006-08-21

This author, being outside of the government-approved anthropological system, is able to get a behind-the-scenes look at the real, on-going cultures in parts of South America, which continue to practice human sacrifice. He also has done extensive research in human sacrifice; and this book led me to investigate others like it.

This author details his own travels and digs at high altitude archaeology. It is a very rivoting book for more reasons than the often too-morbid topic of human sacrifice, because it also shows a side of culture and history in the Andean mountains that is rarely talked about or known.

It's an excellent read.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books